Viola Davis: Motherhood Gives Me ‘New Purpose’

Since adopting daughterGenesis in October, first-time mom Viola Davis is reveling in every moment of her most important and life-changing role yet.

“Becoming a mother has opened up my whole life and given me a whole new purpose,” Davis, 46, told PEOPLE at Thursday’s premiere of her new film Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close in New York.

“I feel like a star at home only because she loves me so much. I mean, it’s a red carpet everyday. It’s wonderful!”

A shining star moment for The Help actress and her husband, actor Julian Tennon, is reading books to their 16-month-old little girl during bedtime.

“She lovesGoodnight Moon,” Davis says. “Every time we get to the part where the old lady who is sitting and whispering hush, she goes ‘Shhh!’ I just love it. It’s something simple, but it’s the most amazing thing to see.”

“Oh yeah, I’d absolutely love to set her up with Louis,” she says with a laugh. “That kid is so cute. He’s going to be a bruiser. But let’s try to get a play date in first. If they are ever in the same place, we’ll get them together.”